Press Release |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 3, 2004 |
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance / Tom Riley 202–395–6618 |
WHITE HOUSE DRUG CZAR:
FAILURE OF ALASKA'S MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION BALLOT INITIATIVE IS RESOUNDING
PUBLIC HEALTH VICTORY
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Commenting on the failure of the marijuana legalization initiative in Alaska, John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy, made the following statement:
"The continued failure of the drug legalization movement this year sends a strong message that Americans are not willing to allow a small group of politically active billionaires to undermine the progress our Nation has made in driving youth drug use down by 11 percent over the last two years.
"Undeterred by their losses in Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio during the 2002 election cycle, the drug legalization advocates spent millions of dollars on their 2004 efforts, financing an expensive campaign that targeted Alaska. But once again, voters refused to allow the megaphone of big bucks to silence the voice of common sense.
"This public health victory reaffirms the simple, inescapable fact that no family, no community, no state is better off with more drug use. Although there are some who are indifferent to the harms that drug use brings, their repeated attempts to make marijuana more available are no match for the truth.
"The people of Alaska, as well as citizens throughout the Nation, can rest assured that we will continue to support their efforts to ensure that their children are healthy and that their communities are safe. We remain steadfast partners committed to building upon our shared success in reducing drug use in America."
